Ceremony highlighted students’ accomplishments YORK, Pa.  – Forty-two area high school students recently graduated from the HACC Academy during a ceremony at the HACC-York Learning Center.
 
HACC President John J. “Ski” Sygielski, Ed.D., addressed the graduates and congratulated them on their accomplishments. The ceremony, held May 22, 2013, included students from the Central York, Dallastown Area, Red Lion Area, West York Area, and York Suburban school districts.
 
Among the graduates were 18 students in the nurse aid program, an eight-week course. 14 students in the year-long automotive technology program, who also earned their PA State Inspection License and Emissions certification, and 10 trade and industrial technology graduates who earned Manufacturing Skills Standard Council certifications in safety and quality practices and measurement during the year-long program.
 
The Outstanding Program Student award was given to one graduate in each program.  Kenneth Hughes of Dallastown Area High School was awarded the Automotive Technology Award, Lucas Lilley of West York Area High School Trade and Industrial Technology Award, and  Onyiyechukwu Anene from Central York High School won the Nurse Aide Award.
 
HACC Academy programs are a very important pathway for many high school seniors in York County as it enables students to pursue careers in health care and trade industries and has been an integral component in providing the skills necessary to enter the workforce or to continue their education.
 
The HACC Academy programs have been impactful to not only students, but to area employers who are seeking a highly skilled workforce. Many students report employment and apprenticeship offers even prior to high school graduation. “Because of this program, my recruiter steered me in the direction of becoming an aircraft mechanic in the Marine Corps. HACC Academy shaped my future and it gave me the skills I need to place myself apart from my peers,” said Ethan Meckley of West York Area High School.  
 
The HACC Academy allows high school students to earn certification in specific areas while completing their high school education. “I would like to thank my instructors for believing in each and every one of us and for the time they took to help us gain confidence in ourselves,” said Marinette Rosario of York Suburban High School.
 
In addition to the HACC Academy classes on HACC’s York Campus, students also attended an average of five classes at their high schools. “All of the graduates put in many hours to earn their certificates of completion,” said Michele Bodani, secondary partnership coordinator. “Each student worked an average of 11 hours a day between high school classes, the HACC Academy and his or her part-time job. We’re all so proud of the hard work they did.”
 
The 2013 HACC Academy graduating class:
 
Central York High School
Nurse Aide - Crystal Afunugo, Onyinyechukwu Anene, Kelechi Anyatonwu, Samantha Fritz, Dominique Helms, Nicole Weaver.
 
Automotive Technology – Urick Mena.
 
Trade and Industrial Technology - Brian Aikey, Jared Couch, Devin Prestopine.   
 
Dallastown Area High School
Nurse Aide - Kiera Comery, Ashley Crumling.
 
Automotive Technology - Joseph Bruggeman, Brandon Handley, Joshua Hess, Kenneth Hughes, Logan Shoemaker.
 
Red Lion Area High School
Nurse Aide - Danielle Allman, Linzee Kennedy, Sarah Kilgore, Morgan Lloyd, Danielle Miller,    Dolton Smith.
 
Automotive Technology - James Axe, Steven Clay, Benjamin Dunlap, Mitchell Myers, Brandon Rineer, Craig Zrinski.
 
Trade and Industrial Technology - Shane Bowlsbey, Ambar Yohe.
 
West York Area High School
Nurse Aide - Albany Halloran, Chelsia Jones, Emily Ruff.
 
Automotive Technology - Dalton Hake, Ethan Meckley.     
 
Trade and Industrial Technology - Lucas Lilley, Jacob Oliver, Luke Valentine.
 
York Suburban High School
Nurse Aide - Marinette Rosario.
 
Trade and Industrial Technology - Nathan Bowers, Spencer Huber.